I've just picked up a 92 dakota and when it is in park, it won't start, but move the lever to neutral, and it'll start right up. I'm assuming the neutral safety switch, what do you all think?Also, the vent selector doesn't work. Doesn't matter which button I push, defrost, floor, mid or combination, it stays in defrost. What could be causing this?

Thanks for your help

 

Sounds like you got two problems. One will be theneutralswitch. They are cheap and easy to change out. The other mostlikely is a vacuum leak. Check all hoses under the hood and under the dash.

 

Cool, thanks. Where is the neutral switch located on the dakotas? steering column or tranny? The truck has a few issues like this and the a/c doesn't seem to be working, but for the price I can fix and with only 85000 miles, its worth fixing.

 

Its on the driver side on the transmission. Its the lower one with 3 wires.

 

Only 85k? Nice. If the A/C compressor is kicking in, it probably just needs a charge.

 

^^^ altho if its empty the compressor wont kick on

 

had a similar problem. jam it into park and it worked. there's a rod goes from the steering column under the hood to the tranny that may need to be adjusted.

1) loosen the bolt on the rod swivel block by the tranny lever.
2) push the tranny lever all the way towards the back of the truck (park position)
3) retighten bolt on the swivel block and your done.

make sure the truck reads park in the cab before you start. might save you some time and cash.

 

My '93 has the same "won't start in park" problem - had no idea the fix could be so easy. I will try that Monday and post back if it works. Sometimes when I jam it into park, it will start, always starts in neutral.

I love this old Dakota! Never tire of driving it - it is about the perfect compromise of size for me. I also have a '96 Chevy 1500, but the Dakota is my favorite. The only problem I have had is the odometer broke, and a minor transmission problem one time; it wouldn't shift into overdrive, a $400 repair.